Suspect accused of killing parents in Washington City pleads guilty and mentally ill to aggravated murder

ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4) — In June 2024, police arrested a double-homicide suspect after an hour-long manhunt that frightened residents in Washington County. Today, the court reached a plea agreement.

Mia Bailey, 29, was charged with two counts of aggravated murder, one count of attempted murder, seven counts of felony discharge of a firearm, and aggravated burglary for the murder of her parents at their home in Washington City.

Today, Bailey pleaded guilty and mentally ill to an amended set of charges: two counts of aggravated murder and one count of aggravated assault.

Judge Keith Barnes reviewed the plea agreement and explained the proceedings to Bailey, who complied with the court. The judge set Bailey’s sentencing for Friday, Dec. 19, at 9 a.m.

Background

On June 18, 2024, just after 7 p.m., officers with the Washington City Police Department were dispatched to reports of possible gunshots near Chinook Drive in Washington City. They were told that a yellow Kia Soul had fled the area shortly after gunshots were heard. Dispatch was told that a family member living at the home believed two people had been shot and killed.

Officers arrived to find the door slightly open and entered the home due to concerns that the victims had been shot. Two adult victims were located: Gail and Joseph Bailey. Both were pronounced deceased at the scene. The suspect was not inside the house.

A manhunt was ignited to locate the suspect. Officers were told that the suspect was a child of the victims. Family told police that she was a transgender individual who was known to wear wigs, meaning that they could find the suspect with short or long hair. The suspect was identified as Mia Bailey, whose birth name was Collin. She legally changed her name to Mia and was transitioning from male to female.

Several hours later, just before 1 a.m. on June 19, 2024, Mia Bailey was sighted walking near Horseman Park and River Road in St. George. When officers tried to stop her and make contact, she “retrieved a handgun from her waistband and placed it to her head.” Mia Bailey walked into the brush, out of sight of the officers.

A containment area was set up, and multiple agencies responded to the area. Mia Bailey was located again near the new St. George Temple. SWAT dispatched a negotiator, who eventually got Mia Bailey to surrender after 8 a.m. on June 19. She was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility in Washington County.

In an interview with Mia Bailey following her arrest, she told officers that she went to the house and immediately began shooting at her mother and then her father when he approached her. She shot them both multiple times, even after they had already collapsed to the ground in order to “make sure they were dead.”

“I would do it again. I hate them,” Mia Bailey allegedly told police during the interview. Officers said that she told them she felt no remorse and would not change what she had done. She also allegedly bragged about avoiding arrest.

On June 21, 2024, the Washington County Attorney’s Office filed charges against Mia Bailey. She was charged with nine first-degree felonies and one third-degree felony, including: aggravated murder, attempted aggravated murder, felony discharge of a firearm, and aggravated burglary.

The Washington County Attorney’s Office also announced that it would not be seeking the death penalty in this case.

While being held at the Purgatory Correctional Facility, Mia Bailey allegedly attacked a corrections officer. On Oct. 28, 2024, she was reportedly refusing to comply with staff and leave her cell and struck a corrections officer in the face. After she was placed in handcuffs, she kicked another corrections officer in the knee.

One year after the alleged murders, Bailey pleaded not guilty to all charges on June 19, 2025.

A GoFundMe created for Joseph and Gail Bailey’s funeral expenses after their murder is still available online and can be found here.